Fawning Season Begins In 2 Weeks But Avoid The Urge To Baby Them

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – In the next two weeks, thousands of fawns will be born in this region. Many gardeners and drivers have come to view deer as a nuisance but fawns are almost irresistible – so much so, that wildlife officials are warning people not to be tempted to adopt them if they seem to be abandoned.

But Pennsylvania game commission educator Joe Kosack says, well-meaning people interpret fawns’ instinctive behavior, the wrong way and this can lead to something bad for the little creatures.

“The young curl up in a fetal position, which we call the hider defense as a plea for help,” Kosack says. “The first thing many people think is this fawn is abandoned. So people think they need to help this animal.”

But according to Kosack, the best thing you can do is leave, so the mother, who is probably watching you from a nearby hiding place, can return and feed her fawn.

Anything else, says Kosack, is causing a great disservice to nature because you’re decommissioning it as wildlife.

“And you’re going to be looking for a wildlife rehabilitator to take care of it. You don’t want to go there.”